A solar lease is a financing option for residential solar panels where the homeowner leases panels from a solar company.
Leasing solar panels worth it.
In a lease you pay to rent the solar power system typically for about 20 percent less than you were paying for electricity explained freedom forever solar ceo brett bouchy.
The disadvantages of solar leasing include.
In fact one analysis shows buying a solar system can save you as much as 60 thousand dollars over 20 years.
You ve saved energy lowered your low utility bills and felt the undeniable pleasure of sharing these perks when the topic of solar came up with anyone who would listen.
Solar leasing may be more quick and convenient than purchasing solar panels but there are many reasons why buying a solar energy system might be a more sensible choice.
But lease your system and your savings can drop to 20 000 dollars over the same 20.
In most cases you ll save much more money in the long run by exploring other financing options like an fha title 1 loan or a traditional loan from your personal bank.
We simply do not recommend it.
You receive free electricity for the life of the solar energy system usually 25 to 30 years.
Leasing solar panels for your home is not a good idea from a financial perspective.
Here s why you might want to lease solar panels instead of buying or financing them.
Disadvantages of leasing solar panels.
With both leasing and ppas you don t pay any upfront costs for your panels and you can typically save on your utility rate.
Some companies also offer power purchase agreements or ppas.
Both a solar lease and ppa are affordable easy ways to enjoy solar power without a large upfront investment.
Power purchase agreements ppas work much like solar leases but instead of renting the system you agree to pay a set price.
You can save between 40 percent and 70 percent on electricity costs over the lifetime of your solar panel system depending on your property and the incentives in your state.
People who lease their solar systems save far less than those who buy them outright or with a loan they also miss out on federal tax benefits and any local incentives.
Solar lease contracts are usually for 20 to 25 years.
In return you get all of the solar energy the panels produce which cuts down your electric bill.
1 solar leasing companies get to claim the tax credits rebates and srecs.
If that sounds like you leasing solar panels or purchasing power through a ppa power purchase agreement could be a good option.